Author: Andres-Papazian

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

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REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT OF LEBANON VISIT ANTELIAS

On Tuesday 27 July 2010, representatives of the Speaker of the Parliament of
Lebanon, H.E. Nabih Berri visited Antelias. One of the reasons for their
visit was to brief His Holiness Aram I on the security situation in the
country and particularly at its Southern boarders.

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View the photos here:

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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

From: A. Papazian

COURT OF JUSTICE PUT THE RIGHT OF NATIONS TO SELF-DETERMINATION ABOVE THE PRINCIPLE OF TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY
Karine Ter-Sahakyan / PanARMENIAN News

PanARMENIAN.Net
July 23, 2010

Very soon we will be faced with yet another application of double
standards. It’s about the former Soviet autonomies, which inspired
by the decision of the Court, will require recognition of their
independence too.

On July 22 the International Court of Justice (ICJ) confirmed that
proclamation of Kosovo’s independence did not contradict international
laws. And although the court’s decision is not mandatory, it finally
put an end to the issue of the former colonies’ right to independence.

It is quite likely that after the decision of the ICJ many
states, which considered Kosovo part of Serbia, will recognize its
independence. One could even say that the two-year fight of Kosovars
for their rights produced the logical result.

However, not everything is as easy as it seems, and we will very soon
be faced with yet another application of double standards. It’s about
the former Soviet autonomies, which inspired by the decision of the
Court, will require recognition of their independence too. First and
foremost, these are Nagorno-Karabakh, South Ossetia, Abkhazia and
Transdniestria. As for the former Georgian autonomies, they have been
recognized by Russia and by another 2 or 3 states, but not by the U.S.

and EU. The status of Transdniestria is not incomprehensible at all.

Things are hardest with Nagorno-Karabakh, which declared independence
20 years ago, but never achieved recognition as an independent
subject of international law. It would be naive to expect that
anyone, including Armenia, would recognize the independence of
Nagorno-Karabakh.

Moreover, after Kosovo various international platforms came to
say that Kosovo cannot become a precedent for the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In fact, in this case, we are dealing with
a bright example of double standards, which are designed to hold Baku
back. The logic of the West in this matter is quite clear – “oil in
exchange for non-recognition”. By the way, a similar hypothesis in the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, “peace in exchange for territory” did
not work, and all the more so cannot work in case of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Before sitting of the International Court, Serbian Foreign Minister
Vuk Jeremic stated that if the court decides in favor of the Kosovars,
none of the disputed borders in the world could ever be considered
safe. “The first and most important principle for any democratic
government in the world is protection of its own sovereignty and
territorial integrity,” declared the Foreign Minister of Serbia,
BBC reports.

Political consequences of the verdict will appear not only on the
post-Soviet territory, but also in Spain, China, Belgium, i.e. it will
result in the redivision of the world formed after the Yalta treaty.

In fact, the process of redivision started with the collapse of the
Soviet Union and continues to this day. But, unfortunately, nobody
can say when and how the recarving of borders will end, and how long
the peoples can go on without bloodshed. We have been repeatedly
writing that conflicts are rarely regulated at the negotiating
table. A peace agreement is a result of a finished war, and once
there is no agreement, then war is not over yet. Sad but true. But
the thing is that in today’s geopolitical reality starting a war is a
little difficult for newly created states, like Azerbaijan. Georgia
has already made an attempt and lost its autonomies. The same fate
awaits Azerbaijan. Things were somewhat different with Georgia:
Russia came to the rescue of Ossetians and Abkhazians.

Armenians will not be expecting help from anywhere or anyone, and
in the event of renewed hostilities, they’ll have to rely only on
themselves, never reassuring themselves that the world powers will call
Ilham Aliyev to order. They may also wait and see the outcome of the
“blitzkrieg” promised by Baku. But on the other hand, the verdict of
the Court of Justice, beyond question, put the right of nations to
self-determination above the principle of territorial integrity. It
is a very important and demonstrative fact. Another important fact
is that the NKR may turn to the International Court of Justice,
which is exactly what will be done.

From: A. Papazian

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]
Internet

PRESS RELEASE

July 28, 2010
Contact: Satenik Harutyunyan
Tel: (202) 775-1918

HOUSE PANEL SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON TURKEY

— Bipartisan Questioning Reveals Full Scope and Depth of Turkish
Actions Aimed at Undermining U.S. Regional Priorities

WASHINGTON, DC – Republican and Democratic members of Congress
called into question Turkey’s reliability as a U.S. ally,
highlighted its deteriorating relationship with Israel, and
addressed a range of issues from Armenian Genocide denial to its
repression of Christian minorities and the occupation of Cyprus,
during a three-hour House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing held
earlier today, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).

In his opening remarks, Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA) outlined five
policy areas concerns related to U.S.-Turkey ties, including
Ankara’s efforts to enhance its standing in the Middle East by
criticizing Israel, Turkey’s ties with Hamas, its denial of the
Armenian Genocide, ongoing occupation of Cyprus, and the lack of
press freedom in Turkey.

`It is critical that Turkey acknowledge the genocide committed by
the Ottoman Empire against the Armenian people during World War I,’
noted Chairman Berman. `That’s why this Committee has repeatedly
passed measures recognizing the Genocide and calling on the
President to do likewise. I believe that Turks, once they come to
terms with their past, will discover that they have relieved
themselves and their children of an immense moral burden,’ he
concluded.

`We want to thank Chairman Berman and Representatives Costa, Smith,
Royce, Sires, Bilirakis, Berkley, and Mack for shedding much needed
sunshine on the many failings of our government’s weak response to
a leadership in Ankara that is increasingly and openly acting
against both U.S. interests and American values,’ said ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian.

House Foreign Affairs Committee members energetically questioned
the four panelists appearing at the hearing: Dr. Soner Cagaptay,
Senior Fellow of the Turkish Research Program at the Washington
Institute for Near East Policy; former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey
and Azerbaijan Ross Wilson; Dr. Ian Lesser, Senior Transatlantic
Fellow at The German Marshall Fund of the United States; and, Dr.
Michael Rubin, Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise
Institute and a Senior Lecturer at the Naval Postgraduate School.
The insights and analysis offered by the panelists on U.S.-Turkey
ties, while frequently critical of Turkey, included two direct
attacks on Armenian Genocide recognition. The first was by Dr.
Rubin, who, questioned the historical truth of the Armenian
Genocide; the second was by Dr. Cagaptay, who specifically urged
Congress to block U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

Concerns about Turkey’s human rights record were raised repeatedly
during the hearing. New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith noted
`Prime Minister Erdogan’s denial of the Armenian Genocide has been
compounded, in my opinion, by his denial of the genocide in Darfur.
When the ICC indicted Sudanese president Omar Al-Bashir, the Prime
Minister said, `No Muslim could perpetrate genocide.’ What does
that say about his judgment?’ Ambassador Wilson’s response to the
question was simply, `I can’t try to justify any of that or defend
any of it,’ sidestepping specific questions about the Armenian
Genocide.

California Republican Ed Royce described Turkey’s relations with
Armenia and Greece as `very frayed,’ stating that he sees `no
rapprochement’ in its relationship with these countries. `Turkey’s
blockade of Armenia remains intact; you still have 40,000 of its
soldiers in Cyprus. Clearly you can work out some sort of an
arrangement to take a lot of those soldiers back in Turkey,’
continued Royce. He cited the important role the U.S. can play in
pointing out Turkey’s problems in an effort to identify positions
that `are in the long term interest of peace and stability in that
region of the world.’

Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ) was blunt in his characterization of
Turkey’s foreign policy in the region, stating: `Through my eyes, I
see Turkey as the bully in the corner, especially when it comes to
Cyprus, when it comes to Armenia, when it comes to even Greece at
times, and now even Israel. Is this the projection that the Turkish
people want the government to project on the world?’ When
responding to the Congressman’s question, none of the panelists
chose to address Turkey-Armenia relations.

Central California Democrat Jim Costa challenged Armenian Genocide
denial remarks made by Dr. Michael Rubin earlier in the hearing. `I
think there is pretty overwhelming historical consensus that it
[the Genocide] actually occurred,’ explained Rep. Costa, who asked
the panelists to comment on the state of the stalled Turkey-Armenia
Protocols. Panelists called for a recommitment by both the
Armenian and Turkish governments to the effort, with Dr. Lesser
emphasizing the importance Turkey’s renewed efforts `without
necessarily linking outlying issues such as Nagorno Karabagh.’

Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) focused on the lack of
religious freedom in Turkey stating, `The U.S. Commission on
Religious Freedom has listed Turkey on its watch list the last two
years. In its April 2010 report that documented the persecution of
minority religions in Turkey.’ Rep. Bilirakis went on to note that
`both the Greek and Armenian churches are not allowed train clergy,
I think as you know, in Turkey.’ He then asked: `When will
religious tolerance become a reality in Turkey, in your opinion?’
Panel responses were varied, with Dr. Rubin stating, tersely,
`Shortly before Saudi Arabia gets religious freedom.’

Rep. Shelley Berkley shared a long array of concerns beginning with
Turkey’s relationship with Israel and Iran. `Add that to the
refusal to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, the continuous and
ever more lethal incursions into neighboring Kurdistan, the
treatment of the Ecumenical Patriarch and the extraordinary gall
for criticizing Israel when they themselves have occupied Cyprus
for 36 years, it’s become increasingly evident to me that we need
to take a hard look at our relationship with Turkey, reassess
whether it is in our continuing national interest to continue it,
whether they, in fact, have our interests in mind and whether they
can continue to be thought of as truly reliable allies.’

Congressman Connie Mack of Florida was perhaps the most blunt in
his dismissal of unhindered U.S. loyalty to Turkey. `A minute ago,
we heard a question `What can we do to get Turkey back?’ Give me a
break. We need a paradigm shift in this committee and in this
discussion. We are the United States of America – the land of the
free and the home of the brave. I believe it is time the
Administration takes a firm stance on the side of freedom.’
Instead, Rep. Mack suggested, the question should be `How can
Turkey get America back?’ Later in the hearing, he clarified his
stance on Turkey by stating `Turkey’s actions are not forgivable.’

By contrast, several Members of Congress, including Rep. Gerald
Connolly (D-VA), Michael McMahon (D-NY), William Delahunt (D-MA),
Dan Burton (R-IN), David Scott (D-GA) strived, in their remarks and
questions, to present a positive view of Turkey, in the face of
broad and growing bipartisan concerns about the Erdogan regime.

#####

From: A. Papazian

EU INTENSIFIES INFLUENCE IN THE REGION, MEANWHILE NOT PROMISING QUICK RESULTS FOR THE SOUTH CAUCASUS COUNTRIES
Yekaterina Poghosyan / PanARMENIAN News

PanARMENIAN.Net
July 27, 2010

EU is not determined to weaken its position in the region, just on
the contrary.

July 19 marked the beginning of negotiations on Associative Agreement
between Armenia and the European Union. The beginning of negotiations
clearly outlines the frames and format of the upcoming cooperation
of Brussels with Yerevan, Tbilisi and Baku. Of course, it will seem
strange to an average citizen that parallel with its recent and rather
ambitious initiative of “Eastern Partnership” the EU suddenly decides
to start another project in the region. However, the associative
agreement never means that Europe opens up its gates and hurries to
accept new members. Taking into account the post-recession condition
in the EU member-states, Brussels alertly treats its eastern neighbors’
aspiration for joining the “European club”.

Most likely this was the reason for Turkey’s disappointment in the
process of joining the EU. Despite the fact that for 45 years now
Turkey has been an “associate member” of the European Union, Ankara
was clearly given to understand that she shouldn’t be expecting any
good news in the near future. However, it did not prevent the parties
from forming a customs union and actively collaborating in the sphere
of economy and trade.

As for the South Caucasus states, the situation is not so simple here.

A small market and regional conflicts! European officials realize
perfectly well that the unsettled conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh reduces
to nothing all the possible plans of establishing a united economic
platform in the region. But Brussels is not determined to fully break
off all the contacts with the South Caucasus either, as it realizes
the geopolitical importance of the region. Besides, the increasing
Islamist and anti-European sentiments in Turkey cause the West, and
Europe in particular, to more seriously prepare to face the possible
developments arising from the neo-Ottoman policy of Ankara.

Besides, EU is interested in the South Caucasus as an alternative
corridor for the delivery of energy resources. As Gunnar Vigand,
Chairman of the European Commission’s Foreign Relations Directorate
declared at a joint press-conference with Deputy Foreign Minister
of Armenia Karine Kazinyan, besides political, economic and
cultural issues, the Armenia-EU negotiations will also include
issues of cooperation in the energy sector. However, because of
the unsettled Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, it would be too naïve to
expect implementation of joint energy projects with the EU in the
foreseeable future.

Nevertheless, the fact that the EU starts negotiations on an
associative agreement with three South Caucasus states at the same
time denotes that the Organization is not determined to weaken its
position in the region. Just on the contrary. Slowly but confidently
the European Union is trying to preserve and intensify its influence
in the region, meanwhile not promising quick and supernatural results,
such as a EU membership, for the South Caucasus countries. Perhaps,
this was what Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, meant saying that
the negotiations on association fully reflect the strategic interests
of Brussels in the South Caucasus.

As for Armenia’s attitude towards this format of collaboration with
the EU, Official Yerevan realizes that these negotiations are a
long and uneasy process, and no one can give the exact time of their
completion. Armenian side gave its European colleagues to understand
that she is seriously determined towards this initiative and is ready
to strain every nerve to draw the negotiations to the successful end.

Yerevan also hinted that in response to such a readiness Armenia
expects conclusion of an agreement on facilitation of the visa regime
with the EU by the end of this year.

From: A. Papazian

ARTUR HOVHANNESYAN: BIG WORDS OF ARMENIA-GEORGIA FRIENDSHIP DECEIVE NO ONE

PanARMENIAN.Net
July 28, 2010 – 11:57 AMT 06:57 GMT

At present, out of 27 thousand Armenians in Ajaria only 10 000
are left, with 8 000 residing in Batumi. The reason behind the
dwindling number of Armenians is growing unemployment and absence of
future, according to the head of Ajaria’s Armenian community Artur
Hovhannesyan.

“Armenian community is on the verge of extinction, without schools,
textbooks or proper study conditions. All of our teachers have
retired; unless RA authorities offer some help, Armenian community
will disappear,” Artur Hovhannesyan emphasized.

“Big words of Armenia-Georgia friendship deceive no one here, Armenians
being poorly treated in Georgia. Still, we will not leave; those
who stay will fight for their Armenian identity against all odds,”
Artur Hovhannesyan pointed out.

From: A. Papazian

CB BOARD APPROVES MEMBERS OF MOTOR INSURERS BUREAU OF ARMENIA SELF-REGULATING ORGANIZATION

ArmInfo
2010-07-28 18:04:00

ArmInfo. At July 28 sitting the Board of the Central Bank of Armenia
(CBA) provided the status of a member of the union of legal entities
of the Motor Insurers Bureau of Armenia self- regulating organization
to the following insurance companies: INGO ARMENIA, Nairi Insurance,
Sil Insurance, Rosgosstrakh-Armenia, Garant Limens, Cascade Insurance
and PECO. The CBA press service told ArmInfo that the membership
fee is 15 mln AMD, and 10 mln AMD more will be paid by each member
of the Bureau for the current expenditures. Starting 1 January 2011,
the insurance companies will quarterly pay a fee worth 0.5% of their
insurance premiums collected over the previous year.

To note, the Motor Insurers Bureau of Armenia self-regulating
organization was registered by the CBA on 28 June 2010. This
organization and the guarantee fund have been set up for effective
operation of the motor third-party liability insurance (MTPL),
and coordination of the motor insurers’ activity. In addition, a
centralized e-database on motor insurance, as well as an institute of
independent surveyors will be created. According to the preliminary
data, at least 5-6 large insurers are already ready to enter the
MTPL market.

The Law on Compulsory Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance will come
into force on Jan 1 2011. The Government has already approved the
concept of data transfer between the insurance register of the
Central Bank and the Armenian Police bases necessary for effective
activity of the given Law. The Law On OSAGO introduces the concept of
insurance agreement concluded for 3 months up to 1-year period (for
motor vehicles imported in the regime of temporary import or transit
the minimum term is 15 days). There are nearly 330,000 vehicles,
including 260,000 cars. 15,000 buses, 55,000 tracks in Armenia. The
average age of the vehicles in use in the country is 12 years by data
of 2007. By preliminary calculation the OSAGO market in Armenia is
estimated at US$35 million (based on 300,000 vehicles).

Ranking of Armenian Insurance Companies prepared by ArmInfo says
that as of April 1 2010 all the 10 operating insurance companies had
licenses for insurance of land transport and third party liability
insurance. The aggregate premiums of the 10 insurance companies
on these insurance lines for the first quarter of 2010 totaled 490
million drams.

From: A. Papazian

IMF FORECASTS 4.8% ECONOMIC GROWTH AND 6.2% INFLATION IN ARMENIA IN 2010

ArmInfo
2010-07-28 13:25:00

ArmInfo. The International Monetary Fund forecasts a 4.8% economic
growth and 6.2% inflation in Armenia in 2010, Guillermo Tolosa, IMF
Resident Representative in Armenia, says in an interview with ArmInfo.

He says the IMF specialists made such forecast after the IMF mission
visited the country in May and prepared another review of the economic
situation in Armenia.

He says that after sharp growth in the first quarter the IMF expected
certain slackening of the economic growth rates. Now the growth is
more stable and promises long-term outlook. As a rule, after crisis
economy starts rapidly growing and than the growth rates fall and
economy stabilizes, he says. The data of the National Statistical
Service say GDP in Armenia for 5 months of 2010 grew 8.8% and 6.7%
for 6 months.

G. Tollosa says that almost all sectors of economy are growing except
agriculture where 13.1% decline was recorded because of unfavorable
climate. Economic growth for 2010 is explained with the too low basis
for the same period of 2009 when decline of quite tangible, he says.

G. Tollosa mentions that the IMF has forecasted also inflation fall.

(Inflation for 5 months of 2010 totaled 5.3% and for 6 months – 4.5%).

He says that economists call this a base effect when current
indicators are compared with those for 2009 that were low from the
very beginning. The exchange rate of the Armenian dram and the US
dollar was low as well. Afterwards, world prices started growing and
in March 2009 the Armenian dram devaluated and consumer prices in
Armenia also grew, G. Tollosa recalls. He says that price rise has
already reached the peak and in the second half of 2010 inflation
will be lower than in the first half and there are no prerequisites
for inflation growth for the end of the year.

From: A. Papazian

POLICE DISPERSES ACTION OF PROTEST IN FRONT OF VTB BANK

ArmInfo
2010-07-28 15:56:00

ArmInfo. Green movement activists picketed VTB Bank on Wednesday
for the bank’s plans to allocate US$280 million to ACP Company for
development of Tekhut deposit. Ecologists have been protesting the
given project for already several years, for it implies felling of
357ha of forest. In addition, Tekhut is inhabitancy of animals and
plants included in the Red Book.

Despite the protest actions organized before and the letters
addressed to the VTB leadership, the bank has neglected the demands of
ecologists. The July 28 protest action once again proved the bank’s
negligence to picketers who waited more than an hour in front of
the bank to speak to a representative of the bank. The activists had
nothing to do but block the entrance to the VTB Bank to draw attention
at their demands. In fact, Police Guard Service cars immediately
arrived at the spot.

The bank clients have to exert genuine efforts and even acrobatic
tricks to enter the bank through the crowd of picketers. The police
officers dispersed the picketers by force. One of the picketers,
Chairman of the Armenian Social-Ecological Party Armen Dovlatyan, was
injured in leg. Picketers had nothing to do but phone to Ombudsman’s
Office and complain of infringement of their rights. The protest action
ended with the outcries “Shame On VTB!” and “VTB – low-life coward!”

From: A. Papazian

UNKNOWN THREATEN TO EXPLODE CAR OF ‘DINO GOLD MINING COMPANY’ CJSC

ArmInfo
2010-07-28 11:06:00

ArmInfo. Unknown persons threatened to exploder the car of ‘Dino Gold
Mining Company’ CJSC.

As press service of Armenian Police reports, Kapan Police department
received an information on July 26 about a shell laid in a car
parked in the territory of ‘Dino Gold Mining Company’ CJSC. Police
investigators arrived on call and actually found a shell of ‘F-1’
type on the back axle of ‘Toyota’ car. Snipers of Armenian Defense
Ministry deactivated the shell.

Criminal case has been initiated on the fact according to p. 1 of
Article 137 (threat of homicide) and p. 1 of Article 235 (illegal
keeping of arms and ammunition) of the Criminal Code of Armenia.

According to the data available, the car belongs to the enterprise
and is operated by Aram Markosyan.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN EMBASSY IN RUSSIA FORWARDS NOTE TO RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

ArmInfo
2010-07-28 13:14:00

ArmInfo. In view of desecration of Armenian gravestones in
Novorossiysk, Embassy of Armenia in Russia has forwarded a note
to Russia’s Foreign Ministry, official site of Armenian Embassy in
Moscow says.

The Embassy of Republic of Armenia in Russia attentively watches
the development of events related to the facts of vandalism in
Novorossiysk.

In view of this, Armenian Ambassador to Russia Oleg Yesayan had
a conversation with Novorossiysk Mayor Vladimir Sinyagovskiy and
Governor of Krasnodar Territory Alexander Tkachyov.

Moreover, an official letter was also sent to Governor of Krasnodar
Territory. The ambassador also met representatives of the Armenian
Diaspora in Novorossiysk. According to the Embassy’s data, total of
25 graves were desecrated, 19 of which are Armenian. Recovery has
already been started. Criminal case has been initiated on this fact,
investigation is underway.

From: A. Papazian